With goals to reduce gas and oil prices and America’s dependence upon foreign oil, alternative fuels are finally getting some attention in a big way. Senator Kent Conrad is leading the Gang of Ten—the group of five Democrats and five Republicans with a new energy plan—in a call to significantly boost the use of alternative fuels. Their plan, called the New Energy Reform Act of 2008, is proposing the increased use of alt fuels to reduce gas and oil prices while at the same time bolster the national economy. It dedicates at least $20 billion in the next ten years to this vital task.
So just when we were all wondering if Congress would get their hats on straight, the Gang of Ten seems to have showed up in the nick of time. Now, all we can hope is that this bill-in-progress really does become a reality.
From Senator Kent Conrad’s website, here are the details of the New Energy Reform Act of 2008 - Roadmap to a Secure Energy Future:
The New ERA bill contains three main components:
- An intensive effort to transition vehicles to non-petroleum based fuels;
- a robust federal commitment to conservation and energy efficiency; and
- targeted, responsible domestic production of energy resources.
Converting Cars and Trucks to Non-Oil Fuel Sources to Regain Energy Independence
The New ERA legislation funds a $20 billion “Apollo Project” like effort to support the goal of transitioning 85% of America’s new motor vehicles to non-petroleum-based fuels within 20 years. To accelerate this transition, the legislation includes:
- $7.5 billion for R&D focused on the major technological barriers to alternative fuel vehicles, such as advanced batteries;
- $7.5 billion to help U.S. automakers and parts makers re-tool and re-equip to become the world leader in making alternative fuel vehicles;
- Consumer tax credits of up to $7,500 per vehicle to incentivize Americans to purchase advanced alternative fuel vehicles (those that run primarily on non-petroleum fuels) and up to $2,500 to retrofit existing vehicles with advanced alternative fuel engines.
Enhancing Conservation
To ease gas prices and protect our environment during the transition, the proposal includes a significant federal commitment to promoting conservation and efficiency. These include:
- Extending renewable energy, carbon mitigation and energy conservation and efficiency tax incentives, including the production tax credit, through 2012 to create greater certainty and spur greater investment;
- New consumer tax credits of up to $2,500 to purchase highly fuel efficient vehicles, to help Americans reduce their annual gas costs and reduce oil imports;
- Extending and expanding the $2,500 tax credit for hybrid electric vehicles;
- $500 million for R&D into new materials and other innovations to improve vehicle fuel efficiency;
- $2.5 billion in R,D&D on next generation biofuels and infrastructure;
- Tax incentives for the installation of alternative fueling stations, pipelines and other infrastructure;
- Expanding transmission capacity for power from renewable sources;
- New dedicated funding for the weatherization assistance program.
Responsible, Targeted Domestic Energy Production
To help meet our energy needs until our economy transitions to advanced alternative fuel vehicles, the New ERA bill increases domestic energy production in environmentally responsible ways. The legislation:
- Provides a CO2 sequestration credit for use in enhanced oil recovery to increase production from existing oil wells while reducing greenhouse gas emissions;
- Opens additional acreage in the Gulf of Mexico for leasing (in consultation with the Defense Department to ensure that drilling is done in a manner consistent with national security) and allows Virginia, North and South Carolina and Georgia to opt in to leasing off their shores. Retains an environmental buffer zone extending 50 miles offshore where new oil production will not be allowed. Requires all new production to be used domestically. Creates a commission to make recommendations to Congress on future areas that should be considered for leasing. Provides for appropriate revenue sharing for states that allow leasing off their shores;
- Provides grants and loan guarantees for the development of coal-to-liquid fuel plants with carbon capture capability. Plants must have lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions below those of the petroleum fuels they are replacing;
- Supports nuclear energy by increasing staff at the NRC, providing workforce training, accelerating depreciation for nuclear plants, and supporting R&D on spent fuel recycling to reduce nuclear waste.
Speculation
The Group decided to focus on increasing supply and reducing demand and will await the mid-September report of the CFTC to consider this subject.
Offsets
The $84 billion in investments in conservation and efficiency in the New ERA bill will be fully offset with loophole closers and other revenues. Approximately $30 billion will come from new revenues from the oil and gas industry through such measures as modifying the Section 199 manufacturing deduction for oil and natural gas production and other appropriate measures to ensure that the federal government receives its fair share of revenue from Gulf of Mexico leases. Remaining offsets will be finalized in consultation with the Finance Committee after accounting for interaction effects with other pending legislation.